WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today announced the selection of Moody Air Force Base (AFB) in Valdosta, Ga., as the Air Force’s preferred location for a new training mission aimed at helping our Afghan partners as they prepare to assume full security responsibilities for their country.

Moody AFB is one of three air bases under consideration for the A-29 Afghan Light Air Support (LAS) training mission. Through congressional support, the Air Force recognized that Moody AFB has the infrastructure, range access, temperate weather and strong community support needed to be successful in this mission. The Air Force will conduct an environmental assessment to validate Moody’s selection later this summer.

“As the United States and its allies debate the future of our presence in Afghanistan, it is critical that the Afghans are properly trained and equipped to handle the threats posed by terrorists intent on disrupting progress in their country,” said Sen. Isakson. “This training mission will be crucial to these stabilization efforts and Moody Air Force Base is the best choice to host it.”

“After 12 years the United States is transferring security responsibilities to the Afghan National Security Forces,” said Chambliss, vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “I can think of few better missions for Moody Air Force base than to assist these men and women as they prepare to defend their new democracy through the A-29 LAS program. These are the best and brightest Afghans who, under the supervision and guidance of our Air Force instructor pilots at Moody, will be able to take their skills back to Afghanistan and build upon the foundation the United States has laid. We cannot abandon Afghanistan at a critical point in its history, and this plan ensures our airmen can conduct this important training mission from the safety of one of our premier U.S. bases. I’m proud Georgia is doing its part in this mission.”

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